FARE-DODGERS have had their day at Huddersfield railway station.

Rail bosses have applied to bring in automatic ticket barriers at the station.

That will put an end to people managing to complete train journeys without tickets.

Officials claim the new system should not add to any hold-ups for passengers.

The plan is to install the seven gates inside the newly-revamped main entrance concourse of the station, meaning passengers will have to have tickets before getting on to the platforms, except on services where they buy tickets on trains.

Those getting off trains at Huddersfield will also need tickets to exit the station.

There are currently no fixed barriers at the station but rail companies do use temporary barriers and staff to check tickets.

The plan has been unveiled by FirsttransPennine, who admit it is a way of stopping the fare dodgers.

Steve Johnston, Huddersfield Station Manager, said: “We have submitted a planning application to install automatic ticket barriers at Huddersfield Railway Station. “The design of the potential new barrier gates will be sympathetic to the building design and will protect the listed status of the station.

“It is right and proper that we protect the railway from those that seek to travel without a ticket.

“The vast majority of Huddersfield passengers purchase the correct ticket and the gates will help to ensure that the majority aren’t footing the bill for those wishing to defraud the railway.

“The gates will have no impact on those travelling or connecting through Huddersfield from stations where no ticket buying facilities are available as customers will still be able to either buy a ticket on board or directly at Huddersfield station”.

The planning application has been submitted to Kirklees Council for consideration.

A report to the council says: “The purpose of ticket gates is to protect the revenue and control access on to the platforms.

“The benefits of providing the gates are reduced fare evasion for train operating companies, reduced crime and antisocial behaviour due to controlled station access, and increased security of customers and employees”.

The ticket gates will be automatic ones, fitted between stanchions.

Wider gates are planned to allow access for customers with additional needs, such as wheelchairs, prams, luggage trolleys and cycles.

Alongside the gates will be glazed barriers, standing 1.3m high, which are intended again to prevent access and will be formed of clear toughened glass.

Planners behind the scheme have studied similar ticket gates at several areas including Leeds and several London stations.

They said that there had been three options for Huddersfield, with two of them proposing ticket barriers installed on Platform 1.

These had been rejected because of safety fears, with the risk of passengers getting too close to the platform edge.

The historic station is Grade I listed and is regarded as one of the finest classical railway stations in Britain.

It was designed by J P Pritchett for the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Company and opened in 1847.